“We are extremely pleased to welcome Craig MacTavish to our organization,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young said in a statement. “This is an exciting time for the Wolves, between our new affiliation with Vancouver, a new group of players and now a new head coach in Craig MacTavish, and we are very much looking forward to seeing it all come together when the team hits the ice this season.”

The 52-year-old MacTavish had a a 301-252-47-56 record and .537 winning percentage in 656 games spanning eight seasons (2000-09) as coach with the Oilers.

The London, Ontario, native also served as an assistant coach with the Oilers (1999-00) and New York Rangers (1997-99) before taking over head coaching duties in Edmonton.

A veteran of 1,093 NHL games as a player with the Boston Bruins (1979-1984), Edmonton Oilers (1985-94), New York Rangers (1994), Philadelphia Flyers (1994-96), and St. Louis Blues (1996-97), MacTavish had 213 goals, 267 assists and 480 points in 17 seasons. He won the Stanley Cup on four times during his playing career: three with the Oilers (1987, 1998, 1990) and once with the Rangers (1994).

MacTavish replaces Don Lever, whose contract was not renewed following the 2010-11 season.